Northampton Friends Meeting

Minute on the Iraq War

Approved October 27, 2002

As Quakers, we believe God�s essential nature is love. God�s love transcends all divisions of nationality, all prejudices and hatreds among people. Our witness for peace is an affirmation of the divine Light in every human being. We are called to respect all other persons, to love them as we love ourselves, to overcome evil with good, to meet our enemies with positive good will and to replace fear and suspicion with trust and a spirit of understanding. We trust in the power of peaceful methods of conflict resolution and international exchange, even in the most difficult times. We believe that the pursuit of preemptive war is immoral.

Therefore, we of Northampton Friends Meeting strongly oppose George W. Bush�s call for launching a war against Iraq. We ask that the United States act in unity with international law and diplomacy and with concern for peace and stability in the world. We also urge our government to implement multilateral diplomatic and other peaceful responses to the perceived threats posed by the government of Iraq, and to develop positive, nonviolent approaches to resolving international conflicts.